Kohala’s Kauka wins Pizza Hut Newcomer award
Kohala High School basketball player Layden Kauka was named a Pizza Hut Newcomer, alongside Kamehameha Kapalama’s Nihoaokealii Dunn.
Kauka helped lead the Cowboys to their second DII state title in three years, averaging 17.1 points per game.
The freshman was named All-BIIF DII Player of the Year, ScoringLive’s All-Hawaii DII Player of the Year and the HHSAA state tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
During Kohala’s 40-38 state championship victory over University Lab, Kauka scored 13 points, with seven rebounds and two steals.
He scored a season high 31 points against Honokaa High School in late January.
The Pizza Hut Newcomer is awarded for superior performance by a male and a female student-athlete participating in their first full year of play in varsity athletics.
Hilo Trollers tournament winners
Hilo Trollers held their first offshore fishing tournament on June 11.
Eleven boats entered and seven boats landed qualifying fish. The largest fish — a 245.8 lb blue marlin — was landed on the T-Marie by Captain Alvin Medeiros and crew.
The largest ono — weighing in at 26.9 pounds — was landed on the Teani Kalena by Captain Ricky Torres and crew.
The Opala Award went to the Pu‘uwai with Captain Kimo Oberle and crew.
Hilo Trollers will run the Allan K. Okuda Memorial tournament on Sunday, July 2, weather permitting.
The tournament will be an open Jackpot with all entry fees going back to the winners. Prizes will be for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd largest fish and opala.
Fish will not count toward Trollers year end awards.
Entry forms and rules are available at Tokunaga’s and Kawamoto Store.
Entries are due on Friday, June 30, at Tokunaga’s or the Ramp. There will be a mandatory captains’ meeting at 6 p.m. on Friday.
Sunrise 0bstacle course on tap
Sunrise Athletics’ third annual Run for Fun Obstacle Challenge is slated for July 2 at the Bayfront Soccer Fields.
Registration costs $5 and is open to keiki in elementary school or middle school, as well as incoming high school students.
Awards will be given to the top three male and female competitors in each age division.
Eddie Ombac of KBIG FM will emcee the event — which will also feature post-race refreshments and snacks, age group awards for participants, prize giveaways (gift cards, etc.), games, a silent auction, a rummage sale and a concession
Funds will help support the Sunrise Athletics and Services, LLC’s “Pay-It-Forward” programs, along with the Sunrise Sports Foundation for the scholarship fund (coming from the concession, and donations are also welcome).
Registration forms and $5 cash can be mailed to Sunrise Athletics and Services, LLC at P.O. Box 5558, Hilo, HI 96720 — or register at www.leaguelineup.com/sunrise -athletics-and-services-llc (cost via website will incur a processing fee).
Sunrise Athletics functions as a non-profit focused on giving back to keiki with providing low-cost and/or free programs and events.